Download What is MN350? What is 350 ppm? What is Moving Planet?

MN350 Moving Planet Messaging Sheet
www.MN350.org
What is MN350?
MN350’s mission is to inspire Minnesotans to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis -- to create a new sense of
urgency and possibility for our planet.
To do this we shine a spotlight on individuals and organizations already doing this incredible work, knitting
these many efforts together for a powerful and common call to action—a call that is global, scientific, and
specific. By providing a shared platform with the 350 target*, we can help to stitch together a whole that is
truly greater than the sum of its parts, with many diverse voices making one collective call.
Our active organizational partners include churches, businesses and non-profits focusing on everything
from energy efficiency, to poverty, to world hunger, to national and international climate policy. Our active
volunteers include individuals whose passions range from renewable energy, to gardening, to environmental
justice, to biking. We come together with a clear message for the world: we are united in our call to action on
climate change. To see the list of partners that joined us on 10-10-10 visit www.mn350.org.
What is 350 ppm?
350 ppm (parts per million) is what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national
governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.
Accelerating arctic warming and other early climate impacts have led scientists to conclude that we are
already above the safe zone at our current 394ppm, and that unless we are able to rapidly return to below
350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the
Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt. We also like to remind
people that to get to 350 we’ll need a people powered movement (ppm!). To read more about the science
click here.
What is Moving Planet?
Each year 350.org and MN350 choose one day to gather our community locally in concert with millions of
people around the world. We raise our voices about the climate crisis and rally to inspire leaders locally and
globally to embrace both the urgency and the possibility of our time. This year the international day of
climate action is going to be about movement in every sense of the word. Not just the big shoulder-toshoulder campaign we’ve been building together, but also actual, powerful, fun dramatic movement in the
streets -- putting into action our demand for a future free from fossil fuels and dangerous climate change.
Circle September 24 on your calendar--that’s the day for what we’re calling Moving Planet: a day to
move beyond fossil fuels.
On 24 September our fellow Minnesotans will be gathering at the State Capitol at 2pm. We will ride in
bicycles, one of the few tools used by both affluent and poor people around the world. We will gather with
our religious communities to become one of the largest interfaith rallies in the history of the US climate
movement.
But we won't just be cycling or marching--we'll also be delivering a strong set of demands that can
have real political impact. Our friends in Tunisia, Egypt, and throughout the Middle East have proven that
change can come quickly. The greatest achievements have been without violence, but not without sacrifice.
They’ve done it with bravery, and also good humor; with the internet and with face-to-face organizing.
They’ve got things unstuck in countries that seemed rusted shut. They’re our inspiration for the months
ahead.
Our Goal for Moving Planet in Minnesota?
To gather thousands of our friends, neighbors, peers and loves ones across the state to:
1. Learn about the urgent need to move beyond fossil fuels in order to dramatically reduce carbon
emissions
2. Inspire each other, our elected officials and the larger public about the possibilities for such a
transition to a renewable future
3. Build the global climate movement to solve the climate crisis by joining together around the world
and raising our voices to action
What are the Details?
The event will begin on the Minnesota State Capitol Lawn at 2pm. There will be resource tables hosted
by organizations and businesses to help educate and inspire. We will listen to music, play frisbee, do art
projects and fly kites as people arrive. At 3pm the Mass Ride and the Interfaith Procession (Moving Planet
- Moving Faith) will arrive at the Capitol lawn. Bikes will stream in from one direction, the interfaith march
from the other. From 3:15 to 4:45 we listen to a program designed to examine the many dimensions of the
climate movement (Moral, scientific, local, global) and to inspire us to action (music, dance, spoken word).
After the program we’ll host a party (The New Primitives, Alicia Wiley and others will play a concert.)
Ways to get involved:
1. Share your creative talent and help with the planning. We need your voice to bring forth the
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message from your community, organization or faith community! Mark your calendar for our next
meeting on August 17th.
Spread the word! Print out some flyers on our website, and let people know about this critical event.
Join us on 9-24. Bring your friends, your family, your community, your neighbors and see how you
can get to downtown St. Paul with the lowest carbon footprint (walk, skate, bike, bus, carpool).
Join up with the Interfaith Procession or Mass Bike Ride.
Donate money or resources! Visit our web page and donate online. Help with the efforts: Host a
fundraising event or house party. We can send a speaker to you.